The Minister of the Right, Michizane, tries to defend the proper heir to the throne, Prince Tokiyo, against the plots of the Minister of the Left, Shihei. Shihei manages to have Michizane exiled and the three brothers Matsuomaru, Sakuramaru, and Umeomaru are divided in their loyalties to their masters. In the climatic Terakoya scene, Matsuomaru ends his loyalty to Shihei and substitutes his own son Kotaro for Michizane's son Kanshusai when Shihei orders Michizane's son to be found and killed.

Notes

Scenes translated in The Art of Kabuki:
Pulling the Carriage Apart/Kuruma Biki (p.86)
The Village School/Terakoya (p.100)